Google linked to €700m deal to buy game-streaming website Twitch

Google is reported to be in talks to buy the video-streaming service Twitch for €700m. The deal, which is said to be at an early stage and has not yet been confirmed by either company, would allow Google to use Twitch's technology to expand its reach and attract more advertising.

Gamers play Xbox One games consoles during the Eurogamer Expo 2013 in London. Twitch is the most popular service for streaming video game footage

Google is reported to be in talks to buy the video-streaming service Twitch for €700m. The deal, which is said to be at an early stage and has not yet been confirmed by either company, would allow Google to use Twitch's technology to expand its reach and attract more advertising.

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Google linked to €700m deal to buy game-streaming website Twitch

Independent.ie

Google is reported to be in talks to buy the video-streaming service Twitch for €700m. The deal, which is said to be at an early stage and has not yet been confirmed by either company, would allow Google to use Twitch's technology to expand its reach and attract more advertising.

Twitch is the most popular online service for live-streaming video game footage among Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox users. The service allows gamers to share gameplay tricks and tips.

Twitch has over 45 million monthly unique users, according to its most recent comments on its user base. That figure includes one million active users – people who create and stream content. According to industry figures, Twitch has 44pc of the US live-streaming market. However, the company has far less on-demand content than rivals like Netflix.

The San Francisco-based company was launched in 2011 and has attracted €15m in funding from investors. It has overtaken Facebook, Amazon and US TV-streaming service Hulu in peak traffic, according to industry web traffic analysts. It has also emerged as an internet destination for those who watch live video game competitions.